Not sure if this has been posted on the long jokes page but here ya go:
Arthur's Quest
King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighbouring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him, but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So the monarch offered him freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question.
Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and if after a year he still had no answer he would be put to death.
The question: What Do Women Really Want?
Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query, but since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by the years end.
He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everybody, the princess, the prostitutes, the priests, the wise men and the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no-one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch....only she would know the answer.
The price would be too high, the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant price she charged.
Finally, the last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no alternative but to talk to the old witch, she agreed to answer the question but had to accept her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Gawain, the most notable of the Knights Of The Round Table and Arthurs closest friend.
Young Arthur was horrified: She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noise. etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature. He refused to force his friend to marry her and have to endure such a burden.
Gawain, upon learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He told him that nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthurs life and the preservation of the Round Table.
Hence, their wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered thus: What a woman really wants is to be in charge of her own life.
Everyone instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was that the neighbouring monarch granted Arthur total freedom.
What a wedding Gawain and the witch had! Arthur was torn between relief and anguish. Gawain was as always, gentle and courteous. The old witch put her worst manners on display and generally made everyone feel very uncomfortable.
The hour approached, Gawain steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom, but what a sight awaited him! The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him.
The astounded Gawain asked what had happened. The woman replied that since he had been so kind to her when she'd appeared as a witch, she would henceforth be her horrible deformed self half the time and the other half she would be her beautiful maiden self. Which would he want her to be during the day and during the night?
What a cruel question! Gawain pondered his predicament. During the day a beautiful woman to show off to his friends but at night in the privacy of his home an old witch?
Or would he prefer by day a hideous witch and by night a beautiful woman with whom to enjoy many intimate moments?
What would you do?
(Pause for a minute and make up your own mind!)
Noble Gawain replied that he would let her choose for herself.
Upon hearing this she announced that she would be a beautiful maiden all the time because he had respected her enough to let her take charge of her own life.
What's the moral of this story?
**THE MORAL IS....IF A WOMAN DOESN'T GET HER OWN WAY..THINGS GET UGLY!!**
